Iris² is a significant satellite initiative by the European Union, following in the footsteps of Galileo, which is a GPS alternative, and the Copernicus program for earth observation. This project aims to create a competitor to Starlink by 2030, ensuring that EU member states have their own reliable and secure internet access, free from the influence of wealthy individuals or the political agendas of other countries.
Investment Details
As reported by the Financial Times, the total funding for this initiative will reach 10.6 billion euros. Of this amount, 61% will originate from public resources, while the remaining 39% will come from SpaceRise, an industrial group that includes companies like Eutelsat, Hispasat, SES, Airbus, and Deutsche Telekom. SpaceRise has entered into a twelve-year agreement to develop and manage the network. The planned Iris² system will feature 290 satellites, with a mix of some in medium and others in low earth orbit.
Service Offerings
Similar to Starlink, most of the bandwidth from Iris² will be allocated for delivering broadband internet to individuals and businesses, particularly in regions with limited internet access. Nevertheless, a portion of this capacity will also be set aside for government use, which is crucial for maintaining essential infrastructure during crises and for conducting surveillance activities. Currently, there are no additional specifics available regarding the expected bandwidth or the satellite technology that will be utilized.
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